There are several types of bariatric surgery options that can help you lose weight if you are obese and meet the other criteria:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass—Roux-en-Y gastric bypass involves cutting the stomach to make it smaller. A major part of the intestines that absorb food are bypassed. This allows you to eat only small portions of food and prevents some of the calories from being absorbed by bypassing some of the intestines.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band
(LapBand)—With the aid of a laparoscope, an adjustable band is placed around the stomach. The surgery causes weight loss by decreasing the size of the stomach and amount of food you can eat. But, there is no interruption with the absorption of nutrients. The band is adjustable, so the doctor can change how fast food moves out of the pouch.

Laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty—With this surgery, several keyhole incisions are made in the abdomen. The doctor uses a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera and other tools to operate. Both staples and a band are placed around the stomach, making it a smaller pouch. This allows you to only eat small portions of food.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch—This procedure makes the stomach smaller in size and makes the small intestine shorter. This decreases the absorption of calories and nutrients.

Outcomes have been favorable for all of these surgery options in the majority of patients. The surgery can result in:

Weight loss—To get the most benefits, it is very important that the weight loss be maintained

Decrease or elimination of insulin resistance and diabetes

Lower blood pressure

Improved lipid levels in the blood

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery. The most important risk is vitamin and mineral deficiency and should be carefully monitored. Most patients should be taking a vitamin and mineral supplement.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.